The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leadership is still undecided on it stance in terms of the upcoming general election despite party chief Bimal Gurung earlier saying he would make an announcement on February 5 after a meeting of the party’s central committee.
It is widely believed a GJM-Trinamool Congress tie-up is on the cards as this was hinted by Gurung on January 24 at a public meeting in Sukna. However, addressing a gathering today in Jamuney, the GJM chief chose to steer clear from the supposed announcement.
He said, "I have not come here to announce our decision to contest or ally with anyone in the Lok Sabha election. I will not talk about MP vote or choice of candidate. Our decision will be disclosed in public at a later date."
The GJM had organised ‘goodwill feast’ at Jamuney, about 15km from town, a place that has become a popular tourist destination. It had invited all party units from the hill and plain areas, including its frontal organisations. A meeting of the GJM’s central committee leaders preceded the feast after which it was expected Gurung would discuss and disclose the party's poll decision.
Addressing the gathering, the GJM chief minced no words in deriding the alleged divisive policies of the state government. He cited the recent announcement of chief minister Mamata Banerjee of forming a Tamang development and cultural board as a case in point.
"There is a big conspiracy ongoing to divide the people of the hills on ethnic lines and this is dangerous. First a Lepcha board was formed, and now the state government has said it will form a similar body for the Tamang community. This has resulted in the distancing of the communities in the hills from each other. Such was never the case in times gone by," asserted Gurung.
He went on to state, "Earlier, we used to address ourselves as Gorkhas, but now it is difficult to fathom what is happening here."
The GJM president, who is also chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, appealed to the people to unite and work to bring in development in the hills.
He said, "By creating divisions among ourselves, we have become the laughing stock while the state government has got an opportunity to use us politically. I request the various communities of the hills not to get swayed by electoral promises, but to spread the message of unity and harmony."
Taking on a sarcastic tone, Gurung said that once communities get their individual development boards, the GTA should be nullified. At the same time, he stressed on the need to develop the hills.
"Now, we must focus on ushering mass development in the region and to realise this, the GTA has already taken up various projects. We should stop complaining about which departments have not been transferred to us or about the things promised in the GTA agreement but yet to be fulfilled. We will address our problems through our MLAs who will pressurise the state government. If this too fails, we will seek legal help," concluded the GJM chief.
Source:EOI
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| Bimal Gurung speaking at the GJM 'goodwill feast' in Jamuney on Wednesday |
He said, "I have not come here to announce our decision to contest or ally with anyone in the Lok Sabha election. I will not talk about MP vote or choice of candidate. Our decision will be disclosed in public at a later date."
The GJM had organised ‘goodwill feast’ at Jamuney, about 15km from town, a place that has become a popular tourist destination. It had invited all party units from the hill and plain areas, including its frontal organisations. A meeting of the GJM’s central committee leaders preceded the feast after which it was expected Gurung would discuss and disclose the party's poll decision.
Addressing the gathering, the GJM chief minced no words in deriding the alleged divisive policies of the state government. He cited the recent announcement of chief minister Mamata Banerjee of forming a Tamang development and cultural board as a case in point.
"There is a big conspiracy ongoing to divide the people of the hills on ethnic lines and this is dangerous. First a Lepcha board was formed, and now the state government has said it will form a similar body for the Tamang community. This has resulted in the distancing of the communities in the hills from each other. Such was never the case in times gone by," asserted Gurung.
He went on to state, "Earlier, we used to address ourselves as Gorkhas, but now it is difficult to fathom what is happening here."
The GJM president, who is also chief executive of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, appealed to the people to unite and work to bring in development in the hills.
He said, "By creating divisions among ourselves, we have become the laughing stock while the state government has got an opportunity to use us politically. I request the various communities of the hills not to get swayed by electoral promises, but to spread the message of unity and harmony."
Taking on a sarcastic tone, Gurung said that once communities get their individual development boards, the GTA should be nullified. At the same time, he stressed on the need to develop the hills.
"Now, we must focus on ushering mass development in the region and to realise this, the GTA has already taken up various projects. We should stop complaining about which departments have not been transferred to us or about the things promised in the GTA agreement but yet to be fulfilled. We will address our problems through our MLAs who will pressurise the state government. If this too fails, we will seek legal help," concluded the GJM chief.
Source:EOI
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